KNOXVILLE – Chris Spognardi, Tennessee’s director of football operations, has been placed on paid administrative leave by the university.
Athletic department official Ryan Robinson confirmed to the Times Free Press on Wednesday morning that Spognardi’s leave began Tuesday afternoon, though no further explanation was given.
It doesn’t appear to be an NCAA-related issue, but GoVols247.com reported the situation is a legal matter that prohibits further comment from Tennessee officials. Jimmy Hyams of Sports Radio WNML later reported an audit at either the state or university level found “discrepancies” involving Spognardi that prompted an investigation.
Spognardi has been a fixture with the program as head coach Butch Jones’s right-hand man, and the two are in their 10th season working together.
Formerly the assistant to the head coach with the Volunteers, Spognardi spent four seasons at Central Michigan University – two for Brian Kelly and two for Jones – as a student assistant before becoming the program’s video coordinator in 2009.
Under Jones at the University of Cincinnati, Spognardi was administrative coordinator and then chief of staff.
With the Vols, Spognardi oversees the program’s day-to-day operations and “works behind the scenes in all aspects of the program,” according to his bio page on Tennessee’s athletic website (utsports.com).
Miller to transfer
Sophomore cornerback Darrell Miller announced via Twitter on Wednesday afternoon he will transfer from Tennessee.
In his tweet, Miller thanked the university and coaches “for giving me the opportunity to play at such a prestigious program” and wished his teammates and coaches “nothing but the best.”
The 5-foot-10, 185-pounder from Texas played in five games as a defensive reserve and special-teamer as a freshman last season, but with the Vols stocked at his position, Miller will leave in search of more playing time.
Status updates
Jones indicated after Wednesday morning’s practice that a few players were “held out” for precautionary reasons, though there’s “nothing serious” in terms of injuries with any specific players.
He said freshman receiver Brandon Johnson would be out “a little bit longer” than some other players.
“Everybody wants to push the panic button,” Jones said. “Gosh, I got 82 text messages about Cam Sutton. I don’t know where that came from.
“We’re fairly healthy right now at this stage of camp. You hold certain individuals out. You have to pick your spots in training camp of when to hold people out.”
Freshman running back Carlin Fils-aime is dealing with a hand/wrist injury that will sideline him at least this week.
The same cast of five players were in noncontact green jerseys Wednesday morning, but defensive tackle Shy Tuttle, who suffered a serious leg injury last season, appears to be increasing his workload by the practice after moving well during some positional drills.
Freshmen to feature?
Tennessee may be a veteran-laden team with experience at nearly every position, but Jones said the Vols still plan to rely on plenty of newcomers from the 2016 signing class.
“Right now,” he said, “I would say most of the class will probably play, give or take a few.”
Freshman defensive back Baylen Buchanan, one of the more under-the-radar signings in the class, became the first player to lose his black helmet stripe Wednesday.
The stripe removal is a method used under Jones in which older players determine when a first-year Vol has shown enough in terms of work ethic and playing style to earn a pristine white helmet for practice.
Gauging Guarantano
One of those freshmen fighting for a role is quarterback Jarrett Guarantano, who could push Quinten Dormady for the backup job behind starter Josh Dobbs.
“He’s doing a great job,” Jones said of Guarantano. “We’re really excited about him.
“One thing about Jarrett is he’s exceptionally hard on himself. He’s a great competitor and he wants to do well all the time. He’s a sponge. He wants as much knowledge and information (as he can take).”
Contact Patrick Brown at pbrown@timesfreepress.com.